Marvel announces movies into 2019

At Marvel's presentation Tuesday, the studio announced that "42" star Chadwick Boseman will play the comic-book hero Black Panther, who will be key to the plot of the forthcoming "Captain America: Civil War." He's the latest in a line of fascinating superheroes.

Rumor has it that Benedict Cumberbatch is in negotiations to play Marvel's Doctor Strange, but Marvel kept mum at its announcement. Still, the film is due out in 2016.

The first "Avengers" movie, released in 2012, is the third highest-grossing movie of all time -- and a new one, "Age of Ultron," is due out next summer. The trailer already has people buzzing. Two more will come out in 2018 and 2019.

Robert Downey Jr. brought Tony Stark's Iron Man to life in 2008. There have been two sequels, and Iron Man was a major star in "The Avengers."

Mark Ruffalo got to wear the Hulk's stretchy purple pants in "The Avengers," and he will be in the sequel as well. Eric Bana and Edward Norton played the character in two previous movies: "Hulk" (2003) and "The Incredible Hulk" (2008).

Following in Tobey Maguire's footsteps -- err, spider webs -- Andrew Garfield starred in 2012's "The Amazing Spider-Man." He also played the part in a sequel this year.

Halle Berry's Storm and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine became fan favorites when "X-Men" hit theaters in 2000. The pair have also appeared in the series' many sequels, including "X-Men: Days of Future Past" this year. (Wolverine has even had two movies of his own.)

The late Christopher Reeve, pictured, wore the red cape in 1978's "Superman" and its three sequels. Brandon Routh took over in 2006's "Superman Returns," and Henry Cavill starred in 2013's "Man of Steel."

Chris Evans, who first donned red, white and blue for 2011's "Captain America: The First Avenger," continued his fight against evil in "The Avengers." He reprised his role this year in "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," and he'll be in the second Avengers.

Following Michael Keaton in 1989 (and 1992), Val Kilmer in 1995 and George Clooney in 1997, Christian Bale drove the Batmobile for all three of the Batman movies directed by Christopher Nolan.

Chris Hemsworth played Thor in the 2011 film of the same name. There was also a sequel in 2013, and Thor, of course, is one of the Avengers.

Ron Perlman went red for Guillermo del Toro's "Hellboy" in 2004 and "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" in 2008.

"Captain America" wasn't Chris Evans' first time battling evil in a form-fitting blue suit. Evans, Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba and Michael Chiklis were the "Fantastic Four" in 2005. They teamed up again in a 2007 sequel.

Ryan Reynolds became the Green Lantern in 2011.

Mikey Kelley, James Arnold Taylor, Nolan North and Mitchell Whitfield voiced the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 2007's "TMNT." Everyone's favorite pizza-eating reptiles returned this year in a live-action reboot.

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• "Avengers: Infinity War" part of Marvel slate leading to 2019


• "Doctor Strange" is among them, but there's no confirmation on its lead actor


• Emerging star Chadwick Boseman will play Black Panther


• Other films include "Captain Marvel" with female lead

(CNN) -- Marvel announced a huge slate of forthcoming films at a Tuesday news conference -- including a two-part "Avengers," "Infinity War" -- but left out a bit of "Strange" information fans were waiting for.

At an enthusiastic gathering at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre, Marvel chief Kevin Feige reeled off announcements for a new Captain America film, a "Guardians of the Galaxy" sequel and the two-part Avengers adventure. The company also plans to introduce some of its other characters on the big screen, including Black Panther, Captain Marvel and the Inhumans.

Although a "Doctor Strange" film was announced, Marvel didn't bring out Benedict Cumberbatch, who has been widely rumored to be in negotiations to play the powerful magician.

Benedict Cumberbatch reportedly to play Doctor Strange

"We're opening up an entire new corner of the (Marvel) cinematic universe: the mystical," Feige said.

"Doctor Strange" is scheduled for release November 4, 2016. The character was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and made his first appearance in Strange Tales No. 110 in 1963. He's a former neurosurgeon who rises to become the Sorcerer Supreme and protect the planet from magical threats.

Scott Derrickson is set to direct.

"Strange" wasn't the only film to get a spot on the Marvel calendar.

The new Captain America film, "Captain America: Civil War," will be released May 6, 2016. A "Guardians of the Galaxy" sequel is slated for May 5, 2017, and the next Thor movie will come out in July 2017.

"Black Panther" will follow in November 2017, "Captain Marvel" in July 2018 and "The Inhumans" in November 2018.

Captain Marvel will be a female superhero, the alter ego of Carol Danvers.

Marvel tweeted concept art for "Black Panther."

Here's AMAZING concept art for #BlackPanther! #MarvelEvent

— Ryan Penagos (@AgentM) October 28, 2014

In addition, Marvel announced a two-part "Avengers" film, "Avengers: Infinity War," due in 2018 and 2019. "Avengers: Age of Ultron," the sequel to 2012's "The Avengers," comes out in 2015. Its trailer has already lit up the Internet.

Feige said Marvel's plans -- and the opportunity to make a big announcement -- have been the works for a while.

"We wanted to do this at Comic-Con this year, and things were not set: 'Civil War' wasn't set; 'Guardians of the Galaxy' wasn't out yet." he said.

"Guardians," which came out in August, is the biggest-grossing film of the year.

Robert Downey Jr., who plays Iron Man, and Chris Evans, who plays Captain America, were on hand for the presentation, along with Chadwick Boseman, who will play Black Panther.

"I'm blessed to be a part of this Marvel universe, and I'm looking forward to making magic happen," Boseman said. The actor portrayed Jackie Robinson in last year's "42" and recently played James Brown in "Get On Up."

However, Cumberbatch was a no-show.

"If it were confirmed, we would have introduced him today," Feige said at the news conference.

Cumberbatch is currently on a hot streak. In addition to his well-received "Sherlock" series, for which he won an Emmy this year, he's earned a great deal of Oscar buzz for his performance as cyberpioneer Alan Turing in "The Imitation Game," a drama about World War II codebreakers.

Baby wipes recalled

• B. cepacia poses no risk to healthy people


• But those with weakened immune systems could be infected

(CNN) -- Nutek Disposables of Pennsylvania has issued a voluntary recall for its baby wipes because some packages may contain a bacteria that's often resistant to common antibiotics.

The wipes being recalled are: Cuties, Diapers.com, Femtex, Fred's, Kidgets, Member's Mark, Simply Right, Sunny Smiles, Tender Touch and Well Beginnings.

They were sold to: Walgreens, Sam's Club, Family Dollar, Fred's and Diapers.com.

After it received some complaints of discoloration and an odor, Nutek said it conducted tests and found that some of the products contained the bacteria, Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia).

B. cepacia poses no risk to healthy people. But those with weakened immune systems or lung diseases, could be infected.

The company said it has received several reports of rashes, irritation and fever -- but "these reports have not been confirmed to be related to the use of these products."

Nutek hasn't yet pinpointed how the bacteria got into the supply. It has stopped shipping baby wipes made in that facility.

You can return the wipes for a full refund where you bought it. If you have questions, you can call the company at 1-855-646-4351, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.

White House snubs Israeli official

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon didn't receive meetings with top Obama administration officials during a recent visit to Washington.

• The White House snubbed the Israeli defense minister when he traveled to Washington


• Relations with Israel have deteriorated as Americans try to broker with Palestinians and engage in nuclear talks with Iran

Washington (CNN) -- Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon traveled to Washington last week expecting to see top Obama administration officials.

Instead, he found himself with a lot of time on his hands.

The White House denied him meetings with Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry and National Security Adviser Susan Rice. Senior administration officials attributed the snub to numerous negative comments Ya'alon made earlier this year criticizing the administration in general and Kerry in particular.

"It shouldn't have been a surprise given some of his comments," a senior administration official said about Ya'alon's visit. "We give you $1.3 billion of aid and you are dumping on us. None of our friends have been disrespectful to the extent of Israel."

He was granted meetings with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Still, the episode offers a startling illustration of how badly relations have deteriorated between the U.S. and Israel -- long-term allies -- because of irritation with Ya'alon. It also reflects years of pent-up frustration in the White House over Israel's role in the Middle East peace process.

READ: Kerry's call to arms on Ebola

In January, the Obama administration -- and indeed many of Ya'alon's fellow Israeli politicians -- were apoplectic when he was quoted in Israeli media calling Kerry "obsessive and messianic," in his efforts to forge a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians. Ya'alon added he hoped Kerry "gets a Nobel Prize and leaves us alone."

Ya'alon apologized after protests by Washington and a strong rebuke from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But tensions grew again in March, when Ya'alon harshly criticized the way the Obama administration was dealing with Iran, saying the president was trying to leave the issue for his successor to deal with.

David Makovsky, an advisor to former US peace envoy Martin Indyk who now works at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said that while he does not believe Israel is currently trying to accentuate its differences with the United States, the resentments on both sides are bubbling over.

"It's an accumulation of baggage that each side has carried for some time," Makovsky said "What I see is the wear and tear of these six years working together where the sum of the problems becomes greater than the parts on policy. It's sad."

In addition to the public dissing of Kerry, who spent the better part of a year in a failed effort to broker a framework agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, officials said Israel's inflexibility on security arrangements proposed for the plan by General John Allen further aggravated the already strained ties.

READ: Children pay with their lives in Palestinian-Israeli tensions

But the biggest culprit, the officials said, is continued Israeli settlement construction in defiance of continued American objections. Washington has warned Israel against such unilateral moves that could prejudice the outcome of a future peace deal.

The row over settlements turned ugly last month after Netanyahu left Washington amid news of settlement expansion in the West Bank. When the prime minister said that U.S. objections to Israeli settlement activity went against American values, the White House slapped him down, calling the criticism "odd."

"It's clear how American values dictate or at least guide our thinking," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

On Monday, Netanyahu announced Israel would fast-track planning for more than 1,000 new apartments in East Jerusalem, prompting swift and strong condemnation from the State Department, which said it was "deeply concerned" by the announcement.

"If Israel wants to live in a peaceful society, they need to take steps that will reduce tensions," said State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki. "Moving forward with this sort of action would be incompatible with the pursuit of peace."

In a phone call this weekend, Kerry warned Netanyahu against going ahead with the planned settlement units. He also pressed the prime minister to speed up an investigation of last week's killing of a Palestinian American teen by Israeli forces.

"He told him it can't be business as usual where these things drag on and then don't say anything," one U.S. official said.

Several U.S. officials said a growing frustration with Israel on a host of issues has prompted a discussion within the administration about how to best to express it

"We are in the process of re-evaluating exactly that question," one senior administration official said, adding "various options are being drafted."

The tension comes as several important decision points related to Israel are coming to a head. The U.S. must decide how it will respond to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's proposal to the United Nations to declare a Palestinian state, something Israel is adamantly opposed to but an idea that has growing support in Europe. Washington must also weigh how much effort to expend on dissuading its European allies from taking tougher measures against Israel such as boycotting products made in settlements or sanctioning Israeli companies that do business in what is considered occupied territory.

"There is a ton the U.S. does behind the scenes," another senior administration official said. "We bail them out of everything - pushing back the Europeans, pushing back at the UN. We are their last good friend in the world."

The officials, who all spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak with candor, stressed that the US remains fully committed to Israel's security and all policy decisions are made from that starting point. But they add that the unequivocal political support the U.S. expends to Israel may not always be a given.

"We will never, ever stop funding for Iron Dome or withhold anything that is related in any way to their security, but the question is, how much do we continue to do politically?" an official said. "It is easy to do less on that front while making sure it doesn't impact our security relationship."

Suspect on crime spree arrested

Massachusetts State Police have arrested Gregory Lewis, 26, a child rape suspect who authorities say went on a cross country crime spree.

• Gregory Lewis, 26, was wanted in a violent crime spree spanning several states


• He crashed his car after police pulled him over for missing license plate

(CNN) -- A Massachusetts child rape suspect who was wanted in connection with a cross country spree of sexual assaults, kidnappings and armed robberies has been arrested.

Gregory Lewis was arrested shortly before midnight in Fort Edward, New York, near the border with Vermont, the Massachusetts State Police said early Wednesday morning.

Lewis, 26, allegedly committed at least six sexual assaults in various states since fleeing Massachusetts in September, according to the Massachusetts State Police.

Several victims in the assaults were women he arranged to meet at local hotels through online escort services, police said. The victims were handcuffed, threatened with a gun, robbed and sexually assaulted.

The capture

Police said New York state troopers tried to pull over the vehicle Lewis was driving for a missing license plate.

He fled, crashing his car into a river, police said.

"Preliminary reports indicate that LEWIS emerged from his sinking vehicle and brandished a gun at a witness who had heard the crash," the Massachusetts State Police tweeted.

Troopers and police converged and took him into custody Tuesday night.

The alleged spree

Lewis went on his alleged crime spree along his trip west and then circled back east, police said. He was spotted in Denver, Colorado; Portland, Oregon; Boise, Idaho, and Salt Lake City; Utah during the month of October, authorities said.

On Saturday, he was spotted in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he allegedly committed a robbery at a hotel and was captured on surveillance video.

The initial arrest

Lewis was arrested August 5 and charged with raping a 14-year-old girl in Southbridge, Massachusetts, police said. He was accused of four felony child rape charges, along with counts related to home invasion, kidnapping and firearms possession.

The suspect was released on bail after his initial court hearing and ordered by the court to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet. On September 15, he cut off the bracelet, left it in the front yard of his young victim's home and fled Massachusetts in a 2004 Jeep Cherokee, police said.

After fleeing Massachusetts, Lewis first traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he allegedly kidnapped, assaulted and robbed a woman on September 23, police said.

The alleged victim, who spoke with CNN affiliate WSOC over the phone, said she met him on the Plenty of Fish dating website.

"He put me in a choke hold and put handcuffs on me with my hands behind my back and said I'm not going to hurt you. I just want your money," she said.

The attack

Two days after the North Carolina assault, police said, Lewis returned to his family's home in Massachusetts, where he allegedly beat and robbed his stepfather.

"This gentleman was literally shackled and held in the home, with a metal shackle," Southbridge Police Chief Daniel Charette told CNN affiliate WCVB.

Southbridge Police Detective Sgt. Carlos Dingui said Lewis handcuffed his stepfather to prevent him from calling police.

Lewis left Southbridge with his stepfather's Beretta 9mm semiautomatic handgun, according to Dingui. He also took approximately 200 rounds of ammunition.

The firearm that police recovered from Lewis after his arrest Tuesday night matches the description of the one taken from his relative's house.

Diving into the heart of Dallas

For unobstructed views of the Dallas skyline, from the Trinity River to the Texas Star Ferris wheel, stay on the north side of the NYLO Dallas South Side hotel. Any of the four suites or the top-floor Lifestyle Suite will get you this fantastic view.

The NYLO Dallas South Side hotel is located in a former Sears warehouse dating to 1911. All loft-style guestrooms have details such as exposed brick walls, high ceilings and concrete floors.

Offering easy access to the central business district, The Joule hotel has one of the coolest pools in Dallas.

TENOVERSIX at The Joule is a great place to pick up unique gifts for friends and family -- if you can bear to part with your new treasures.

The Extreme Wow suite at the W Dallas-Victory hotel overlooks the American Airlines Center and other Victory Park hotspots. The foosball table may make you late for meetings.

Led by "Iron Chef America" winner Kent Rathbun, Abacus showcases a fusion of Southwestern, Mediterranean and other cuisines. The meticulously prepared dishes will impress partners and clients.

For an after work barbecue fix, Pecan Lodge has a gut-busting smoked-meat sampler that serves four to five people.

Neiman Marcus' flagship store opened more than 100 years ago in Dallas. The store's personal shoppers can sift through nine stories of clothes to find you a stylish suit.

White Rock Lake is less than 15 minutes from downtown and has nine miles of paved trails.

The Dallas Arts District spans 19 contiguous blocks. Among highlights, the Nasher Sculpture Center houses one of the world's most prominent contemporary collections of 20th-century sculpture.

The Omni Dallas hotel Collections gift shop stocks an assortment of items crafted by Dallas artisans, including these pewter salt and pepper shakers shaped like longhorn steers.

• The rooftop pool at The Joule juts out over the street below


• The NYLO Dallas South Side hotel is set in a former Sears warehouse dating to 1911


• White Rock Lake has nine miles of paved trails for joggers and bikers


• Dallas' art district, spanning several blocks, is the largest art district in the United States

(CNN) -- In D-Town on business and looking for the best places to eat, drink, sleep and squeeze in a bit of play?

This mini-guide highlights the best of the best.

Tackle them all and they might just make you an honorary Texan.

Fastest, most comfortable airport transport

Whether you're headed uptown or downtown, Premier Transportation gets you there in style.

The city's largest car service, it handles an average of 250 airport drop-offs and pick-ups a day.

Its fleet of 70-plus late-model sedans, vans and more is always stocked with a newspaper, bottled water and a professional driver.

Premiere has its own smartphone app, which not only lets you make and manage reservations, but also texts you a few minutes prior to your pick-up time with a picture of your driver, the vehicle's license plate, and the car's GPS coordinates so you can see in real time exactly how far away it is.

Premier Transportation , +1 214 351 7000

Rooms with views

One of the hippest hotels in town is The Joule, located in a landmark 1920s building refashioned by award-winning designer Adam D. Tihany.

The hotel opened six years ago, but it's already undergone a $78 million expansion that's helping breathe new life into the central business district.

Gives new meaning to the phrase "hanging out at the pool."

The view from the rooftop pool -- part of which hangs out over the street below -- is grand, but the telescope in Room 2001 allows guests a picture-perfect perspective as well.

The gift shop, TENOVERSIX, is a great place to pick up a gift for loved ones back home.

Elsewhere, a Lone Star state-size makeover has reinvigorated the W Dallas-Victory, infusing it with cowboy chic decor and amenities like gadget docking stations and rainforest showers.

Its 33 stories overlook the American Airlines Center and other Victory Park hotspots, which can best be seen from the six Cool Corner rooms, the five Wow Terrace Suites and the Extreme Wow Suite (which even has a foosball table).

On the burgeoning South Side, the NYLO Dallas South Side is set in a former Sears warehouse dating to 1911.

All guestrooms feature artistic details like exposed brick walls, high ceilings and concrete floors. For unobstructed views of the Dallas skyline, from the Trinity River to the Texas Star Ferris wheel, you should ask for a Deluxe Double Queen on the north side of the hotel, or any of the four suites, particularly the top-floor Lifestyle Suite.

The Joule , 1530 Main St.; +1 214 748 1300; from $299 per night

W Dallas-Victory , 2440 Victory Park Lane; +1 214 397 4100; from $288 per night

NYLO Dallas South Side , 1325 S. Lamar St.; +1 214 421 1080; from $140 per night

Best meals

When thinking of fine dining in Dallas, it's impossible not to think of Abacus.

When in Dallas, order meat. Especially at Abacus.

Helmed by four-time James Beard nominee and "Iron Chef America" winner Kent Rathbun, the five-star dining room showcases a melding of Southwestern, Mediterranean and other cuisines in meticulously prepared dishes that are difficult to choose between.

A "hands-down" favorite, says Rathbun, is the Comanche Buffalo Tenderloin.

"People eat it and say to me, 'I'll never eat beef tenderloin again.' They absolutely love it. We also use a lot of Texas quail, which is so plump and delicious and doesn't taste gamey at all."

Of course, you can't go to Texas without scarfin' some barbecue.

One of the top places in town to get your fill is Pecan Lodge, which got its start as a modest stand at the Dallas Farmers Market but has since grown so popular it recently moved to a much larger space in Deep Ellum.

Co-owner Justin Fourton recommends bringing friends along and ordering the Trough -- a gut-busting smoked-meat sampler that serves four to five people.

Other favorites are the fried chicken (a recipe from Fourton's wife's grandmother) and the Hot Mess, which he describes as a "giant sweet potato stuffed with barbacoa, chipotle cream, cheese, green onions and crumbled bacon."

Abacus , 4511 McKinney Ave.; +1 214 559 3111

Pecan Lodge , Deep Ellum, 2702 Main St.; +1 214 748 8900

Unique clothes

Dallas is to shopping what Vegas is to gambling.

The mecca of merchandise is definitely the flagship Neiman Marcus store, which opened in downtown Dallas more than 100 years ago.

Neiman's famed personal shoppers are on hand to help you sift through the nine stories' worth of stuff in search of that perfect purse or pocket square to fill out your closet.

Highland Park Village is another must-stop spot for savvy shoppers.

The quaint, tree-lined complex has been catering to well-heeled consumers since 1931 and has more than 60 boutiques -- from Anthropologie to Alexander McQueen.

It also has personal shoppers who can help harried travelers in need a quick wardrobe fix (airline lost your luggage?) and even has on-site tailoring.

Neiman Marcus ; 1618 Main St., +1 214 741 6911

Highland Park Village , 47 Highland Park Village, +1 214 443 9898

Best photo ops

Want to nab a "Like"-worthy Dallas pic that will make your Instagram followers -- and your boss who sent you there in the first place -- wish they'd come along on the trip?

The newly opened pedestrian-only Continental Avenue Bridge offers a panoramic view across the Trinity River, past the spectacular Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, and into downtown, with its stunning skyline.

White Rock Lake is a fine place to de-stress.

Another great place to focus your lens is White Rock Lake.

Less than 15 minutes from downtown, this pretty reservoir, with nine miles of paved trails, is popular among runners, bikers, sailors and the like, and the sunsets here are perfect.

Plus it's proof positive to naysayers that there's more to Dallas than skyscrapers and malls.

Dallas Continental Bridge , 109 Continental Ave.; +1 214 671 9500

White Rock Lake , +1 214 670 8740

Where to experience the heart of the city

Dallas isn't exactly known as a walking city, but there's at least one area where a leisurely stroll will deliver you to a host of delicious dining options, exciting galleries and museums, indoor and outdoor music venues, family-friendly play areas and more.

Spanning 19 contiguous blocks, the Dallas Arts District is the largest urban art district in the country.

Here you'll find everything from the Nasher Sculpture Center, housing one of the most prominent collections of 20th-century contemporary sculptures in the world, to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, with 180,000 square feet of interactive exhibits.

Dallas Arts District , between Woodall Rogers Freeway and Ross Avenue; +1 214 744 6642

Buying souvenirs

Want to avoid making that cheesy, last-ditch airport purchase of a T-shirt or snow globe to signify your stay?

The Gypsy Wagon is an adorable Henderson Avenue shop full of clothing, accessories and housewares with a Southern twist.

The quirky inventory includes everything from Mason jar shot glasses to gold necklaces in the shape of Texas. The Pony Booties ($228) draw raves for their fashionable twist on the traditional cowboy boot.

This is what real Texas shakers look like.

Inside the Omni Dallas Hotel, The Collections gift shop stocks items by Dallas artisans, including scented candles and bath salts, sterling silver tableware, original artworks and custom-made bicycles.

The pewter salt and pepper shakers ($165) in the shape of longhorn steers are a fun keepsake.

The Gypsy Wagon , 2928 N. Henderson Ave.; +1 214 370 8010

Omni Dallas Hotel , 555 S. Lamar St.; +1 214 744 6664

Former longtime Dallas resident Jill Becker is a travel writer now based in the Atlanta area.

Noriega's video game suit dismissed

• NEW: Noriega's attorney says he's reviewing the court order, conferring over next steps


• A judge says the First Amendment protects the creators of "Call of Duty" games


• Ruling: "Noriega fails to provide any evidence of harm to his reputation"


• Manuel Noriega had argued he was entitled to part of the profits since his likeness was used

(CNN) -- A California judge has dismissed former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega's lawsuit against the creators of the "Call of Duty" video game franchise.

"This court concludes that Noriega's right of publicity is outweighed by defendants' First Amendment right to free expression," Judge William H. Fahey of the Los Angeles Superior Court said in an order Monday.

Noriega -- who's serving a prison sentence in Panama after being convicted of drug trafficking, money laundering and killing political opponents -- had argued that the 2012 video game "Call of Duty: Black Ops II" damaged his reputation.

Creators of the video game called the lawsuit "frivolous" and "absurd." They filed a motion to dismiss it, arguing that Noriega's portrayal in the game is protected by the Constitution.

"This ruling is an important victory and we thank the court for protecting free speech," said former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, attorney for video game creator Activision Blizzard Inc.

"This was an absurd lawsuit from the very beginning and we're gratified that in the end, a notorious criminal didn't win," Giuliani said in a statement Tuesday. "This is not just a win for the makers of 'Call of Duty,' but is a victory for works of art across the entertainment and publishing industries throughout the world."

Noriega, 80, filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court in July, arguing that his portrayal "as a kidnapper, murderer and enemy of the state" in the video game harmed his reputation. Since the company used his image and name, the lawsuit said Noriega was entitled to a share of the profits from the video game.

What now?

"At this time, we are still reviewing the court's order and conferring with our client to determine our next steps," attorney William T. Gibbs, who represents Noriega, said in an email Tuesday.

Manuel Noriega sues over 'Call of Duty' video game

In 2012, Activision Blizzard said "Call of Duty: Black Ops II" had netted more than $1 billion in sales worldwide in its first months on the market.

The video game includes historical footage and several real-life characters in Cold War scenarios, including former Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North.

But while North did his own voiceover for the game and acted as an adviser, Noriega said in the July lawsuit that he wasn't consulted -- or compensated -- for the use of his likeness.

"Call of Duty" video games take storylines from current headlines, and its characters are based on historical figures, from former Cuban leader Fidel Castro to David Petraeus, the retired general and former CIA director.

In a statement Tuesday, Activision Blizzard described the game as historical fiction and said Noriega's lawsuit could have had far-reaching consequences if it hadn't been thrown out.

"In the unlikely event the lawsuit had been permitted to proceed, Noriega's efforts could have provided numerous historical and political figures a veto right over their appearances in works of art, having a chilling effect on everything from movies like Forrest Gump and Zero Dark Thirty, to television programs including Saturday Night Live and Boardwalk Empire and even to popular books such as The Paris Wife," the statement said.

In court documents, Noriega said he learned about the video game from his grandchildren, who told him that his image and likeness were being used.

"Noriega fails to provide any evidence of harm to his reputation," Fahey said in his ruling. "Indeed, given the world-wide reporting of his actions in the 1980s and early 1990s, it is hard to imagine that any such evidence exists."

For almost two decades, Noriega was a major player in a country of critical regional importance to the United States because of its location on the Panama Canal, the key strategic and economic waterway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans on the narrow isthmus linking the Americas.

Amid growing unrest in Panama, then-U.S. President George H.W. Bush ordered the invasion of the Central American nation in December 1989, saying Noriega's rule posed a threat to U.S. lives and property.

12 more real people who appeared in video games

Noriega fled his offices and tried to seek sanctuary in the Vatican Embassy in Panama City.

He surrendered in January 1990 and was escorted to the United States for civilian trial.

Noriega was indicted in the United States on charges of racketeering, laundering drug money and drug trafficking. He was accused of having links to Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar's notorious Medellin cartel and, in the process, amassing a multimillion-dollar fortune.

He was convicted of drug trafficking and other crimes and served nearly two decades in prison.

In 2010, a French court sentenced Noriega to seven years in prison for laundering 2.3 million euros ($2.9 million) through banks there. He was ordered to pay the money back.

In Panama, where he was convicted of killing political opponents, he has been hospitalized several times since he returned in 2011 to serve out his prison sentence.

CNN's Leigh Remizowski, Stella Chan and Rafael Romo contributed to this report.